Home / Speed Camera Types / Truvelo Speed Camera / Truvelo D-Cam Speed Camera / Truvelo FAQs
Welcome to the SpeedCamerasUK.com Truvelo speed camera Q&A page. We receive questions all the time from UK motorists relating to Truvelo and Truvelo D-Cam and other UK speed cameras. We answer and publish these questions below. Before submitting your own question, please have a read through the Truvelo speed camera questions, as we may already have the answer to your question.
Please note: SpeedCamerasUK.com does not operate any UK speed cameras, we have no connection to UK Government, Police, etc. We are therefore unable to advise you if have been caught speeding, or the progress of a speeding offence.
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Question: Can the Truvelo D cameras be configured to flash both directions at the same time if on one side of the road or do they have to be turned around to record the other side? There's one camera that I used to drive through in the same direction it is facing all the time but today it flashed me.
Answer: The forward facing Truvelo D-Cam speed camera can only capture motorists heading towards the face / lense of the camera. If you were driving away from the face of the Truvelo D-Cam speed camera then you have nothing to worry about.
Question: Do all truvelo cameras need road markings?
Answer: Truvelo speed cameras don't require road markings, however they are normally used as a secondary measurement of the speeding vehicles speed.
Question: Can a Truvelo camera get you on the opposite side of the road driving away from the camera? I've noticed that on approaching the camera there is 3 white lines but on the opposite side there's no white lines.
Answer: The Truvelo speed camera is a forward facing camera. As such it takes a photograph of the front of the vehicle including a photo of the driver. Truvelo cameras therefore cannot work simultaneously on both sides of the road. White lines are sometimes painted on the other side of the road to enable the Truvelo camera to be periodically turned to enforce traffic in the opposite direction. They are sometimes painted to allow motorists to think they are being targeted and thus slow down.
Question: I was on a 40mph road not sure what speed I was going but it was a truvelo camera. Well it was the inferred part facing toward me with another inferred camera facing the opposite direction the truvelo camera was facing opposite direction to me with the actual camera. Can I still be caught by just the inferred cam?
Answer: No, the actual Truvelo speed camera camera needs to be facing you to capture the photographic evidence of the speeding offence. The infra-red light on a pole is only used to aid the Truvelo safety camera 24/7 day and night.
Question: Should I be worried? I was driving at around 34/35mph towards a 30mph speed camera I saw that there was a camera there at the last minute but it is a camera with only 3 little lines. I put my brakes on before I got to the white lines and went right down to 26/27mph. I didn't see a flash but if there was it wasn't very bright at all? Should I be worried?
Answer: The speed camera with the three lines is the forward facing Truvelo camera. Truvelo's are supposed to have an invisible flash, although we've certainly had lots of motorists email us to confirm they aren't always invisible!
It sounds like you braked in time for the white lines, we cannot say for sure if you shouldn't be worried.
If you have been caught speeding expect a NIP (Notice of Intended Prosecution) through the post (to the registered keepers address), this is normally within 14 working days.
For future driving and alerts to all approaching speed cameras you might like to consider buying a speed camera detector, please see our speed camera detector buying guide.
Question: Driving along in autopilot into Lincoln (Bunkers Hill) a road I never use despite living in Lincoln, and noticed the sign for the speed camera (Truvelo on the opposite side of the road, lens facing the opposite way) and braked (not sure of the speed I was doing initially but it was definitely over 30). I don't know what speed I was going at as I was passing the camera but by the time I had passed it I was well under 30mph. I don't know whether this speed camera would have got me on the side of the road I was on an the direction I was going in, but I am feeling sick worrying about it. Can you enlighten me?
Answer: Truvelo speed cameras target oncoming vehicles, in other words they capture the front of the vehicle including the driver of the speeding vehicle. From your description the Truvelo speed camera that you drove past targets vehicles in the opposite direction.
Question: I was travelling towards A TRUVELO speed camera on my side of the road and it flashed. The flash was so bright I had to put my hand in front of my face is this right should this be allowed to happen will I get a speeding fine for this?
Answer: If you were speeding, then yes you can expect a speeding ticket. As for the bright flash, Truvelo speed cameras do emit a flash, however it shouldn't emit a bright flash, as you describe. You might want to take this up with the Police force where the Truvelo speed camera is located?
Question: Are the Truvelo cameras always working or do they have some dummy ones? This reason I ask is because I just went past one at 34mph in a 30mph zone.
Answer: Yes, it is true that not all Truvelo speed cameras are in working order, may be switched off, etc. The only people to know for sure are is the camera installer and the police officer(s) who maintain the camera. If you have been caught speeding expect a NIP (Notice of Intended Prosecution) through the post (to the registered keepers address), this is normally within 14 working days.
Question: There is a new TRUVELO been installed near me it has replaced an older camera which I think was a film one there are 3 white lines but on both sides of the road. Can a TRUVELO cover both sides of the road at the same time?
Answer: No, a Truvelo speed camera can only cover one direction of traffic flow. It cannot cover both directions from a single Truvelo camera.
Question: Can a forward facing Truvelo speed camera flash me on from behind on the opposite side of the road?
Answer: If it is faulty it might flash you, but it will not be able to record your speed. You need to be driving head-on towards the forward facing speed camera in order for it to successfully obtain the photographic evidence of a speeding offence. The opposite is true of the rear facing Gatso speed camera.
Question: What is the speed detection distance of the Truvelo D-cam? They have changed the old style Truvelo for the new type on the A14 east in Huntingdonshire which I saw this morning.
Answer: The Truvelo D-Cam works in the same way as the Truvelo speed camera. Both versions of Truvelo speed cameras use embedded strips in the road's surface, sited a few metres in front of the cameras location. Drive too fast over these embedded strips and the Truvelo/Truvelo D-Cam speed camera will be triggered into taking two photos of the speeding vehicle.
Question: We may have been caught by a speed camera last week on the A1067 in Taverham Norfolk as you leave the town heading towards Fakenham. I understand that this is a Truvelo D Cam type of camera and that it uses three sensors on strips in the road to gauge a vehicles speed. However, I note on Streetview that these strips are a different distance apart on either side of the road (approx. twice the distance for vehicles heading into the town) even though the speed limit is of course the same regardless of which direction you are going.
My question is would these sensor strips need to be the same distance apart in order to provide uniform and accurate speed measurement ? If you look on Google Maps / Streetview this can be seen close to the bus stop
Answer: Each and every speed camera will have a calibration certificate; you could check these with Norfolk police.
Question: Travelling towards Norwich on the A1067 and approaching the Truvelo D Cam on Drayton Road near the Mile Cross Road roundabout, I realised that my speed had risen to 34mph on the slight downward incline of the road towards the camera. I was about 25 - 30 feet from the white line across the road, forward of the camera and immediately braked.
My speed had reduced to about 25mph by the time I crossed the white line. Is it likely I will receive a speeding ticket?
Answer: It's a case of having to wait and see…
If you have been caught speeding by the Truvelo D-Cam, a NIP (Notice of Intended Prosecution) is normally sent out to the vehicles registered keeper within 14 working days.
You might like to consider buying a speed camera detector, for more information please see Speed Camera Detector Buyer's Guide.
Question: I was wondering if you could help me. I'm not sure if I was caught on this camera, I was likely doing 36mph in a 30mph zone. It's a truvelo d cam and I came from behind the camera, so it wasn't facing me, below I have images showing my view of the camera and also the camera markings on the lane I was on, is it likely I was caught?
Answer: Truvelo D-Cam speed cameras normally operate by capturing vehicles heading towards the front or face of the camera. This is so that a photo can be taken of not only the vehicle, but also the driver of the vehicle too. However, unlike the predecessor - the Truvelo, the new D-Cam model can target and capture vehicles travelling in either direction. So it is possible that you were caught speeding.
Question: One question i can see hasn't been asked of the Truvelo type cameras is, how soon are the images sent to the police or authority in charge of issuing tickets? Do they get them same day?.. and who can you call to check?
Answer: In cases of Truvelo “wet film” cameras, a camera operator would need to visit and collect the film for processing from the speed camera location. In cases of “digital film” it may be wirelessly transmitted to a control room, but more likely require a camera operator to visit the camera site and connect to download before processing.
Question: Can forward facing speed cameras only take pictures of the front of vehicles? does this mean that motorcyclists are immune to prosecution? as they don't have front number plates and cannot be identified.
Answer: Yes, that is right, forward facing speed cameras e.g. Truvelo D-Cam only take a photo of the approaching vehicle. These are favoured by some counties e.g. Norfolk, as the police also in the case of cars, vans have a photo of the driver of the vehicle too.
Question: I have a query regarding Truvelo speed camera on the A46 near Alcester. It appears to be facing cars on the opposite side of the carriageway. I think it can be turned to target oncoming cars on the same carriageway. Is this likely or can it be used as rear facing gatso style too. Currently it is on the opposite side of the road but appears to be facing cars across from it not on same carriageway. It's an older model not the new d cam.
Answer: Truvelo speed cameras - both the original and later D-cam models operate FORWARD facing, this is so they can also capture a photo of the driver.
Truvelo cameras can be calibrated and turned to target vehicles heading in different directions of travel from time to time.
Question: Just reading your info on Truvelo cameras and it seems to differ from Wikipedias version of them. I've always known them to flash, but you say they are infrared with no visible flash where as Wikipedia states they do flash but use a 'magenta' filter as to not blind the driver. Maybe you should include this in your info? As it seems they do all flash in the uk.
Answer: Our information is based on that as supplied to us by Truvelo. However, in more recent years at a number Truvelo speed camera site orange flash lamps have been added next them (as pictured below). This is to improve the brightness/quality of the photo.
Question: Today I exited the roundabout just off junction 3 of the M4 and as I looked up I saw a front facing Truvelo but in a Gatso RLC36 housing with a separate infrared flash. I know this operates front on but my question is do you know how far away it takes a picture from? I was only just over the speed limit and I was no where near the white lines before the camera and as soon as I saw it I applied brakes.
Answer: We would need to see a photo of the camera and road layout to give you a precise answer. However, in general Truvelo cameras operate 3-5 metres in front of the fixed camera location.
Question: Today I was driving on Kirkstall Road in Leeds. I was behind a speeding lorry driver. The camera was a Truvelo and had the three thin stripes on the road. For some reason, the lorry passed, although I'm not sure a picture was taken, as they're supposed to be invisible. However, I noticed the camera flashed brightly (I thought Truvelos had invisible flashes) after the van had passed but before I reached the white lines. Does this mean I'll be getting his ticket?
Answer: Truvelo speed cameras like all other fixed point speed cameras e.g. Gatso, have a two means to capture and provide evidence of a speeding motorist.
The first is to trigger the actual camera, which in the case of the Truvelo is to drive too fast over the embedded sensors in the roads surface. The second is to be pictured crossing the white lines painted onto the roads surface too fast at the cameras location. If another vehicle triggered the camera, then you have absolutely nothing to worry about as the photo taken by the Truvelo camera would prove or disprove who was or wasn't speeding.
Truvelo speed cameras have been known to emit a flash.
If you have been caught speeding, a NIP (Notice of Intended Prosecution) is normally sent out to the vehicles registered keeper within 14 working days.
Question: Can a Truvelo speed camera capture drivers photo as well?
Answer: Yes, this is the unique feature of both Truvelo and Truvelo D-Cam speed cameras, they capture a photo of the driver at the time as the motoring offence.
Question: How far away are the piezo sensor strips, embedded in the road's surface, from Truvelo speed cameras?
Answer: Within a few metres of the Truvelo speed cameras postion.
Question: I have had a speeding ticket in the post from a camera that flashed the front of my car from the opposite side of the road. Also in the picture there is only three white marks on the road. First of all can a camera flash you from the wrong side of the road and also is three markings no more that 20cm apart from each other enough to judge my speed?
Answer: It sounds like you've possibly been caught by a forward facing Truvelo or Truvelo D-Cam speed camera. These cameras can operate from either side of the road, as long as the speed camera has been calibrated to do so. In other words only one direction can be enforced at anyone time. The white markings on the road act as a second measure to confirm the cameras speed activation is correct and that the vehicle was speeding.
Question: I was driving at 35mph towards a Truvelo speed camera in a 40mph area. About 100yards from the camera I was passed by a vehicle travelling at high speed. When the driver saw the camera he braked hard (only 20 yds away) - I did not see the camera flash, but if it did who will get the ticket?
Answer: Truvelo speed cameras use two methods to capture and record speeding motorists.
1. The first is via embedded loops or strips in the roads surface. When a motorist/vehicle passes over these embedded loops/strips too fast the Truvelo camera is set off or triggered to start taking a photos.
2. The second is to use the white markings on the road, and a second photo is taken. Using the white markings on the road, the vehicles speed can also be calculated.
So if you were driving within the speed limit, you have absolutely nothing to worry about, as the evidence captured by the forward facing Truvelo speed camera would prove that you weren't speeding.
Question: I was flashed by a forward facing Truvelo camera. The camera is in the lane I am driving. It emitted one blinding flash. There are no white lines whatsoever on either side of this stretch of the A630. However the speed limit drops from 60mph to 40mph passing through a small village. I have received a NIP. I was led to believe that Truvelo cameras, older type with one large and one smaller lense side by side should not flash so as to blind the driver. Confused???
Answer: I'm afraid we don't have the answer to your question. It will only be known by the camera operator(s) and installer.
SpeedCamerasUK.com is not connected with any UK Police or other local authority. We don't run, install or operate any speed camera - we just list where they are and information about them.
I would recommend you contact the Police force who issued you with the NIP (Notice of Intended Prosecution) to voice your concerns and confusion.
Question: Several of these grey and orange things on poles (pictured below) have sprung up in Nottingham, next to existing Truvelo cameras. Any idea what they are?
Answer: With regards to the new poles appearing on Truvelo sites in Nottingham and other Truvelo speed camera locations in the UK, they are infrared flash units that help improve the photo at night.
Question: Hopefully you might be able to improve my understanding about Truvelo speed cameras. The Truevlo was on my side and I think I was going at 31-32mph or even 33mph but definitely not 34-35mph. On a 30mph road. Obviously it didn't flash but do you think I'll get fined for it?
Answer: It will all depend on the speed threshold that the Truvelo speed camera is set to trigger at. Some cameras have been know to trigger at 33mph in a 30mph zone. Truvelo cameras have an invisible flash, as they may temporary blind or distract a driver on approach/passing them. If you have been caught speeding a NIP is normally sent out to the vehicles registered keeper within 14 working days.
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Last updated: 1st August 2024
